The excitement surrounding this year’s Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring was evident, as it marked the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Celebrating 50 years of Mobil 1, several entrants adorned gold liveries to commemorate this milestone. If there’s one thing I learned this weekend, it’s that gold looks exceptional on racecars!
Sebring is notoriously known as one of the toughest races for both drivers and machines, even more so than the Rolex 24. Much of the track remains in its original state from its days as a WWII bomber base, resulting in an array of cracks and bumps across the nearly century-old pavement. These features unsettle the downforce-dependent machines, often causing them to bounce into the air. It’s fascinating to witness how these cars endure such punishment, truly bringing the rich history of this venue to life.
As the race began, the #01 Cadillac V-Series.R quickly followed the pole-sitting #31 Action Express Cadillac. Shortly thereafter, the #7 Porsche Penske 963 executed a daring move down the inside into Turn 3, overtaking the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac for third place. A few laps later, the sister #6 Porsche Penske 963 also passed the #40 Acura for fourth.
A few hours into the race, the #01 Cadillac claimed the first five Endurance Cup points by being the first GTP car to reach the four-hour mark. However, the race took a dramatic turn at the eight-hour mark when the #31 Cadillac made contact with the #21 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 in Turn 10, resulting in a catastrophic crash that sent the Cadillac upside down into the tire barriers. Thankfully, the barrier absorbed much of the impact, but it was a disappointing end for Derani, who was leading by 12 seconds over the #7 Porsche.
After a grueling 12 hours, it was the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura that crossed the finish line first, claiming the overall victory. The #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac secured second place, with the #7 Porsche rounding out the podium in third, further solidifying its lead in the championship standings.
In the LMP2 class, Era Motorsport celebrated its second consecutive win with its Gibson Oreca 07. Meanwhile, Vasser Sullivan Racing’s #14 Lexus RCF GT3 took the top spot in GTD Pro, and Winward Racing’s #57 Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo clinched victory in GTD for the second time this season.
This year’s Sebring 12 Hours was a thrilling showcase of endurance racing, underscored by fierce competition and the enduring spirit of motorsport. As we look ahead, it’s clear that this race will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of fans and drivers alike.
